Our aim is that the majority (80%) of our funds are committed through directive approaches, such as advertised calls for applications on specific subjects. Our foresight reviews are one mechanism we use to investigate where we should focus our funding, before issuing a call. However, we are still open to receiving unsolicited proposals and applications.

Outline proposal

If you have read our mission, strategy, delivery plans and publications, but are still unsure if your project is in scope, submit an outline proposal for a decision in principle. We will let you know if we are interested in pursuing your idea – if so, you will be invited to submit a full application, without implying any commitment from either party.

Application

You may submit an application without first submitting an outline proposal. Please see below for what to include in your application.

How we will assess your application

The Foundation has a formal governance structure for grant decision making.

All proposals and applications are reviewed initially at our monthly grant applications meetings. When we confirm receipt we will let you know the date of the next meeting.

Sometimes we may request further information for due diligence purposes.

Are there deadlines for submitting applications?

The Foundation can receive grant proposals and applications at any time. We have an initial review stage most months of the year.

Our planned dates for the initial review meetings in 2018 are as follows:

Deadline for submissions

Grant application meeting

10 January

23 January

9 February

22 February

5 March

15 March

10 April

19 April

4 May

16 May

4 June

14 June

2 July

12 July

6 August

16 August

24 August

6 September

28 September

11 October

29 October

8 November

30 November

12 December

We try to feed back to applicants within a week of each Grant application meeting. Exceptionally, we may have further internal discussion before feeding back.

Applications for over £500,000, if they pass the first review stage, then must go to our Grants Committee and Board of Trustees which meet quarterly. Any applications to be considered at these meetings must first of all go through the initial review stage, eg for a decision at the March Board, applications need to be submitted by 9 February so that, if they pass the first review, they can be included in the papers for the Committee and, if recommended, the Board.

Grants Committee

Board meeting

8 March

20 March

7 June

26 June

11 September

27 September

4 December

18 December

What should you include in your application?

Our form has some specific headings such as risks, impact and benefit. The points below should guide you in completing these sections and the executive summary:

How you are helping us meet our mission, strategic themes, objective and funding priority

What scientific question or societal challenge relevant to our mission will the funded programme answer

What are outputs, outcomes, impact and benefit to society that you expect to achieve?

How do you propose achieving it: methodology, governance, timescales, outcomes, indicators of success

Any partner organisations and their financial or in-kind contributions

Evidence of excellence of your and partner organisations, team and individuals

How the results will be disseminated

Budget breakdown by year and categories of expenditure. Also give this information for any partners who will receive our funding

Sustainability: if the activity is to continue after our period of funding, what are your plans for future funding?

Your application will normally form part of your contract, against which progress and success will be measured. Please see guidance note 7 for a framework which should help you to describe the impact you expect to achieve.

Will we ask you to make a presentation?

No, we do not require a presentation. We may arrange a discussion or meeting with you to find out more information or gain a better understanding of your organisation and your application. There is no need to attend a Grants Committee or Board of Trustees meeting.

Should I send hard copy?

We do not need hard copies of any documents.

Will we give you feedback if your application is rejected at any stage?

Yes, of course. We will let you know our reasons.

Grant application

Before submitting your application please ensure you have read all guidance notes.